# Are enlarged peroneal tubercle and accessory anterolateral talar facet associated with calcaneal spur?

## TL;DR

This study found that an enlarged peroneal tubercle is strongly linked to the presence of a calcaneal spur, but an accessory talar facet is not.

## Contribution

The first report on the prevalence of EPT and AALTF in Thailand and their association with calcaneal spur.

## Key findings

- EPT was present in 31.7% of cases and strongly associated with calcaneal spur (p < 0.0001).
- AALTF was present in 24.7% of cases but showed no significant link to calcaneal spur.
- Age at death did not differ significantly between groups with or without EPT or AALTF.

## Abstract

As the anatomical variations of the foot, enlarged peroneal tubercle (EPT) and accessory anterolateral talar facet (AALTF) have attracted the attention of foot surgeons in recent years. However, EPT and AALTF have not been examined for a relationship with calcaneus spur (CS) as a common osteophyte.

The subjects were 369 individuals who died in northeastern Thailand and were preserved as skeletal specimens. The authors examined for the presence of left and right EPT, AALTF, and calcaneus spur (CS). We divided the EPT (+) group with EPT and the EPT (-) group without it and also divided the AALTF (+) group with AALTF and the AALTF (-) group without it. The age at death and the presence of CS were compared statistically between the EPT (+) and EPT (-) groups and between the AATLF (+) and AALTF (-) groups.

Out of the total 369 cases, EPT was found in 117 cases (31.7%), AALTF was positive in 91 cases (24.7%), and CS was found in 194 cases (52.3%). In comparison between EPT (+) and EPT (-) groups, CS was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in the EPT (+) group, but there was no significant difference in age at death. In comparison between AALTF (+) and AALTF (-) groups, there was no significant difference in age at death or CS.

This study showed a strong relationship between EPT and CS, and the prevalence of EPT and AALTF by age in Thailand was first reported. We believe it helps to know the pathogenesis and biomechanism of EPT and AALTF.

Not applicable.